We're right. They're wrong.

It may not be "the economy, stupid" anymore (then again, it may), but Carville's still absolutely right about who's wrong.

As various folks try to pin down their Republican Congresscritters on the question of whether or not they're members of the "Shay's Handful" that ineffectually opposed the pre-pardon of Tom DeLay with the rules change in the House Republican Caucus, I'm more inclined to say it just doesn't matter.

How many of the handful are going to leave the Caucus over the issue? How many votes did Nancy Pelosi pick up for Speaker? Nope, they'll all dutifully line up behind Hastert and his henchmen in Republican leadership, and we'll see the full flower of the Republican agenda.

What might that be? Kevin Drum checks out the leading indicators...

Congressional Republicans have now been back in town for five days following their big election victory on the 2nd. So what are they using their newfound mandate for? Let's take a peek:

At the request of Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Oklahoma), passed a law giving Appropriations Committee chairmen the right to look at anyone's tax returns without regard to privacy rights. When caught by Democrats, they said it was all just a big mistake and promised they'd never actually use this authority.

Overwhelmingly revoked a rule stating that Republican congressional leaders have to step down if indicted of a felony. This was done to protect House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who appears to be on the verge of being indicted for a felony.
Approved funding to buy President Bush a yacht.

Killed long-awaited intelligence reform legislation that was widely supported by both Democrats and Republicans, the president, the 9/11 Commission, and 9/11 victims groups.

...and Kevin misses a big one. Our House Leader didn't, though. Here's what the Shadow Speaker had to say about one of their priorities...

"The Weldon amendment is essentially a domestic gag rule, restricting access to abortion counseling, referral, and information. Health care companies should not be able to prevent doctors from giving medically necessary information.

"This language makes a mockery of existing state and local laws, including many state constitutions. Under the Weldon Amendment, any law or regulation currently on the books to protect access to reproductive health services is at risk. The term 'discrimination' in this amendment is so vague that it could be used against any federal, state, or local government effort to provide reproductive health services.

"This language makes a mockery of Title X. The Title X family planning program provides much-needed reproductive health services that reach millions of low-income, uninsured individuals. And it really is sad because we all want to reduce the number of abortions in our country. That is a goal that we all share. And family planning is one way to do that. But under this amendment, clinics could participate in the Title X program without providing a full range of reproductive health services. Federal dollars should not be used to deny the federally-protected right to choose."

And make no mistake. It's a priority, although not, apparently, a point of pride.

"This language is a radical change in policy that the House has not debated on the floor, and the Senate has never considered, debated, or voted on. Republicans simply slipped it into the appropriations bill when they thought no one was looking. It is entirely outside of the scope of this omnibus spending bill. Yet it is a part of a 'must-pass' bill at the insistence of House Republican leaders."

So the next time a Republican claims to be "moderate" or "pro-choice" or "mainstream," ask 'em why they support a leadership that pursues a radical agenda through clandenstine tactics.

And the next time someone tells you they vote for "the person, not the party," don't just shake your head and walk away. Tell them to their face exactly how foolish they are.

Because in Congress, it's all about the Party, and we're right, and they're wrong.